MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Carrick, manager / head coach of Manchester United, reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Carrick, manager / head coach of Manchester United, reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Troy Deeney took aim at Amad Diallo following Manchester United’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, claiming the winger ‘flattered to deceive’ and appeared to be ‘playing for himself’.
United twice fought back from two goals down to come away from Old Trafford with a point in Sunday’s thriller at Old Trafford, but the result saw Michael Carrick’s men enter the international break in the relegation zone.
The hosts were punished for their sluggishness early on as Alysson and Nicolas Jackson made it 2-0 inside only four minutes, only for Bruno Fernandes and Youri Tielemans to find the net and draw level.
The Red Devils were once again punished for a slow start, though, as John McGinn converted a 48th-minute penalty before Leon Goretzka capitalised on some calamitous defending from Leny Yoro to restore the visitors’ two-goal cushion.
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Staring down the barrel of a fifth Premier League defeat, Carrick rang the changes in search of a route back into the contest in the second half – and it was two of United’s substitutes, Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu, who struck to salvage a draw at the death.
But with his side hovering just one point above rock-bottom Crystal Palace, Carrick will know the scrutiny and speculation surrounding his future is likely to rumble on ahead of the club’s crunch match away to bitter rivals Liverpool in a fortnight’s time.
‘I spoke about this on our last episode on Thursday, I feel like we’re doing the same things with Manchester United,’ ex-Watford and Birmingham striker Deeney said of United’s latest performance on talkSPORT’s Premier League All Access Podcast.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 8, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United applauds the fans after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 8, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Carrick, head coach / manager of Manchester United with Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Carrick, head coach / manager of Manchester United with Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United after the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
There had been calls for Carrick to field Shea Lacey in place of Amad following the youngster’s outstanding cameo display in United’s midweek Champions League victory over Roma.
However, the United head coach stuck to his guns and kept faith with Amad, who would go on to have a tough afternoon at the Theatre of Dreams.
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‘Amad comes in and flatters to deceive,’ Deeney said of the Ivorian’s display.
Mandatory Credit: Photo by News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17258818af) Referee Jesus Gil Manzano speaks with Amad Diallo of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 match between Manchester United and Roma at Old Trafford in Manchester, United Kingdom, on November 3, 2026. Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4, United Kingdom - 03 Nov 2026
Mandatory Credit: Photo by News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17258818af) Referee Jesus Gil Manzano speaks with Amad Diallo of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 match between Manchester United and Roma at Old Trafford in Manchester, United Kingdom, on November 3, 2026. Manchester United v AS Roma - UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4, United Kingdom - 03 Nov 2026
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‘A lot of running into nothing, he was… today it felt like a lot of them were playing for themselves and going, “Look, I’m not the problem!”
‘Amad had about nine shots in the first half that were never going to be on target.’
On United’s problems in the centre of the park, Deeney continued: ‘I saw a midfield that was empty and vacated today.
‘Villa went through that midfield at will, many times in that first 75 minutes.’
File photo dated 18-12-2023 of Former Birmingham City player Troy Deeney. Troy Deeney was sacked as Forest Green manager after just six matches in charge. Issue date: Thursday December 12, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SPORT Christmas January. Photo credit should read Mike Egerton/PA Wire.
Emery was partly to blame for Villa dropping points (Picture: PA)
Unai Emery made five substitutions before United’s late fightback, with goalscorers McGinn, Alysson, Goretzka and Jackson all removed, as well as the lively Johan Manzambi.
Asked whether the Villa manager had made a mistake with his changes, Deeney replied: ‘Absolutely.
‘I also thought it was one of the few times where he’d probably be very disappointed and would want to go back when you look at taking off Johan Manzambi, who I thought was excellent.
‘His ability to not only roll the player and keep the ball, but buy fouls and take them ten, 15, 20 yards up the pitch was excellent.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Unai Emery manger / head coach of Aston Villa during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Unai Emery manger / head coach of Aston Villa during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
‘I think the game got too easy for Villa at 4-2 and I thought Emery started to think a little bit too far ahead, “Okay, I can rest these players”, obviously going away to international break.
‘Nicolas Jackson at times looked like Kylian Mbappe against that Manchester United team. He was dropping team, running in behind, he was 15 yards away from everyone.
‘But I just think he made too many mistakes and you can’t account for a goalkeeper having a shocker as well.’
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Diogo Dalot of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 8, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 8: Diogo Dalot of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 8, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Diogo Dalot appeared to be targeted with sarcastic cheers from the Old Trafford crowd when he was replaced for Dorgu midway through the second half.
Facing the media shortly after the final whistle, Carrick jumped to Dalot’s defence and encouraged supporters to get behind the players, especially when they are playing out of position.
‘Diogo, he gives absolutely everything,’ Carrick said.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Carrick, head coach / manager of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 08: Michael Carrick, head coach / manager of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Aston Villa FC at Old Trafford on November 08, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
‘He’s played in different positions, he’s played left-back, he’s played really well at times. He gives a penalty away today, that’s, you know, he knows that.
‘Maybe he can do a little bit better, all right, that’s part of it, he’s made a mistake, but he cares an awful lot and he’s giving everything.’
On Dalot, the United boss went on: ‘I like what he brings to the team, I like what he brings to the group, I like what he brings to the whole environment and the culture that we’ve got.
‘Picking a team and who plays the next game, that’s a whole different decision, but it’s a whole different game that we’ve got to look forward to now.’
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